Overcoming fear of public speaking

At functions for family and friends, would you stand to give a speech effortlessly?

And most importantly, would you lose the sense of limitation, shame and frustration you carry through NOT speaking up?

Speaking up is your birthright

We're born with the gift of voice. It's part of the universal human survival kit issued at birth and we're meant to use it!

We're born with the gift of voice

Allow me to help you, help yourself.

There is no rule stating you will be on permanent self-mute, or that attempting to speak in public will bring instant humiliation because you'll bumble, blush, babble and blurt.

Understanding anxiety and public speaking

Did you know the fear many people feel, is not actually public speaking fear at all?

It's fear of being set apart, judged and found wanting.

Of not being good enough.

Blame it on those old crowd genes

By origin we are crowd creatures, belonging in groups: social, work and family, and within them unconsciously know our place.

That historical imprint is in our DNA.

Getting up to speak in front of others, without training or practice, upsets our inbuilt 'safety in numbers' comfort zone.

Temporarily we're 'out' of the group.

And that separation launches all the uncomfortable physical manifestations and feelings commonly associated with public speaking fear:

pounding heart

nervous sweats

wobbly knees

shaky hands

squeaky voice

mind blanks

dizziness

the galloping 'what if' disaster scenarios: what if they don't like me, what if I forget what I'm supposed to say ...

Need I go on?

Standing in a spotlight on full glare triggers those responses, not speech itself.

It doesn't have to be like that.

Swapping fear for confidence

write-out-loud.com is dedicated to providing you with the courage and knowledge to stand tall and be seen, to speak up, to let your voice be heard, to allow it to become the powerful vehicle of expression it was intended to be.

Public speaking is learn-able

Public speaking is a skill, not an innate ability

Public speaking is a skill, not an innate ability. Just like any other skill you've acquired, it can be learned.

You'll find what you need here to give your words safe passage from heart and mind, to mouth and freedom.

Here I am, not speaking, but very happily surrounded by the exquisite flowers in the woods on the Path of Gods high above the Amalfi Coast in Italy. Magical.

What people say

"Can't thank you enough Susan for sharing some terrific ideas for my next speaking engagement. I am so excited now to deliver the presentation vs. being nervous and anxious over it. You have an incredible knack of targeting the audience needs. Thanks for sharing your time!"

"Fantastic and very comprehensive site that is a joy to read. I too am a teacher, initially of Elementary school students and now of adults.I have taught children how to speak effectively in public, now to teach adults!
Thank you for sharing this resource."

Deanne - Northern Australia

"I just wanted to say thank you for such a brilliant and easy to access website with phenomenal content. Often I will go to sites to learn "how to" and there is a dangle of an idea followed by a "sign up" or "pay for content". You however, are generous with your knowledge, experience, and learning. I just wanted to say thank you for being a teacher in the truest sense of the word.

Karen - Canada

"Dear Susan,
Thank you once again for the new version of my speech and thank you for your advice which is highly appreciated. I frequently speak in public but seldom get any suggestions or comments, so all of that is great. I will do as you suggest and of course will let you know how it worked out. Finally - you have been a great support and have also spent a lot of time - please send me your invoice!"

H. - CEO - Austria - after dinner speech celebrating a milestone anniversary of an international company

"This speech is perfect. I made some minor changes but this will work great.
Thank you for being there for me. I wish I had your gift of making my memories make sense in writing."

"Susan, a tear dropped out of my eye when I read this speech. Not because, I felt emotional, but because I would not have come out with something like this.
Thank you Susan. I will make sure I send you a copy of everything that will happen here.
You are awesome.
Talk later."

Maria - Uganda - Welcome speech for the opening ceremony of an international company

"I'm revising a college course on skills transferable to business. The lesson today was Public speaking - Voicing. Your site is fabulous! I was tempted to simply make a link to write-out-loud.com and leave it at that. Thank you for all the wonderful rich content and topic organization. You made my chore a pleasure."

Irene - Canada

"I just wanted to say I LOVE your site! I often work with clients in job search or networking, and they are not very good a presenting themselves. Your tips and exercises for developing better speech patterns are excellent, and I'll be using them to help others. Thanks for your awesome content!"

Lea - USA

"I am a tutor specializing in English as a Second Language to MBA students, law students, undergraduates and high school students, and I have just discovered your site. Kudos on building such a powerful resource for those struggling to build effective public speaking skills. I'll be directing my students to your website from now on!"

Ruth -USA

Swap tears for laughter

A complete one stop resource for teachers to scuttle public speaking fear in the best of all possible ways - with laughter!

What teachers say:
- "Thank you so much for making my class fun, and not scary!"
- "My students are 8th graders - a tough crowd to engage but these games are working very well."
- "Your materials provide great structure and content examples."Who are these people saying lovely things? Click to see.Make your speech class fun too.

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